You're Standing Between Me And My Coffee And Someone Is Going To Get Hurt

When coffee shops get busy it's not uncommon for them to ask for your first name to write on your cup, so when your order is ready they can call your name.

I stop in Starbucks on average twice day and more often than not someone is holding up the line to question why they're asking for their name. Some seem to go really ape over it. It's not like they are asking for a social security number and mother's maiden name too.

I've heard, "I'm not giving my name to get a cup of coffee" more than I care to count and the Starbucks' staff, who probably hears this ten times an hour, just has to stand there and keep smiling. I'd feel like smacking some sense into these argumentative idiots but the staff is always very pleasant about it.

If you have an over the top privacy hang up about someone knowing your first name just make one up instead of questioning it, or worse arguing about it. Come on! To sit there and argue about not giving your first name is a bit ridiculous, even if there wasn't ten people behind you waiting!

I've heard some people use what must be fake names or TV show characters' names. Once a guy in front of me said, "Bond, James Bond." But, the funniest exchange I've heard was when a guy used, "Comic Book Guy," and the Barista didn't miss a beat by saying, "Best. Coffee. Ever. for Comic Book Guy."

I use, "USR." Do you use your real name or a fake one? What do you do?

By the way, as all my friends know, I only drink Teas but that just wouldn't work with this title.

My daughter has gotten a kick out of seeing her name in print since she was about 2, so we always use her name on all our drinks. Of course, since no one can spell Z-o-e we have fun with all the different ways they come up to spell it.

I know of people with really odd names that come up with simpler names that sound close enough to make it easier on everyone. Starbucks line is not the time to worry about actual versus phonetic spelling on your name.

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